All this good weather has driven me to sit outside in the evenings. It reminds me of all things good and English, such as Test matches, Shakespeare and moods linked directly to the climatic conditions.

In such circumstances I feel the need for something to sip, with or without my woolly vest.

Evenings in the garden/yard/balcony are all too rare in this country, so make the most of it and spend a little more than your norm on a suitable wine accompaniment. It might not be totally tropical yet, but show a bit of stiff upper lip and make sure you're drinking a nicely chilled white. But do not over-chill this week's selection, you will prevent a myriad of flavours from surfacing.

I keep mentioning Anakena, a relatively new Chilean outfit, but only because it seems to be putting out good-quality wines at very reasonable prices. Viognier is the most seductive of grapes and Anakena Viognier 2004 is a seductive wine. A musky perfumed aroma, with notes of stone fruit, citrus and minerals leads to a good, dry finish, dusted with white pepper. The creamy texture and subtle vanilla oak influence are spot on too.

Chardonnay comes in many guises, but I was particularly taken by a Tasmanian example, Ninth Island Chardonnay 2004, available in these parts from local vintners HC Wines. Being Tasmanian this is cool-climate chardonnay, very fresh with melon, pineapple and lemons a plenty. It is unoaked and, like the Chilean viognier, finishes drily with white pepper.

I know I'm perhaps overdoing the Chile recommendations, but I like my sauvignon blanc to show some restraint. I take offence at the aggressive nature of some sauvignons, nastier examples from New Zealand's Marlborough region for instance. Terrunyo Sauvignon Blanc 2005 is very well behaved and from the Casablanca Valley. It has complexity based loosely around gooseberries, minerals, freshly cut English lawns and yet more white pepper. But it's all done in the best possible taste.

I couldn't do an English summer without several bottles of German riesling. Lingenfelder Bird Label Riesling 2004, from the Pfalz region, is light yet flavoursome but not too heavy on the alcohol levels and therefore very easy to drink. With honeyed peach and grapefruit, counterbalanced by good acidity, it is unchallenging but very nice and has not a note of white pepper.

Term of the week (and the last since I have reached the letter Z and with credit due to numerous wine reference books): zesty - describes mainly young wines that grab the attention.

Anakena Viognier 2004, £8.49 at Thresher and Wine Rack 18/20

Ninth Island Chardonnay 2004, £8.50 from HC Wines (www.hcwines.co.uk) 18/20

Terrunyo Sauvignon Blanc 2005, £7.99 at Oddbins and Somerfield 17/20

Lingenfelder Bird Label Riesling 2004, £6.09 at Oddbins 16/20

Updated: 16:18 Friday, May 12, 2006